Yesterday, author Matt Myklusch* tweeted he'd finished THE PASSAGE and thought it deserves a whole series -- not just a single movie.
That got me thinking about my favorite book-to-film adaptations. I like them for different reasons...
Most Faithful to the Book
STAND BY ME, hands down. It seemed like the movie was word-for-word Stephen King's novella, and since THE BODY was awesome, so was Rob Reiner's movie. Amazing that so many other adaptations of King could screw up the source material so badly. Not so here, where the quiet suspense of four boys on a summer hike to find a dead body is punctuated with King's awesome dialogue and characterization.
Another Reiner movie; this guy's a faithful dude. The only difference between William Goldman's book of THE PRINCESS BRIDE and his screenplay is that in place of the dungeon and Machine we know from the movie, the book features a pitch-black, multi-story, underground hunting labyrinth. So...tough to film. And now it's hard to imagine the story without the Machine, right?
I am indeed looking forward to the final HARRY POTTER movies, but I gotta go with GAME OF THRONES here. HBO is giving this first book in George R R Martin's A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE series the full treatment. Sean Bean and Peter Dinklage head the cast, and they're filming in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Morocco. I'm not speaking in Dothraki or making Jon Snow avatars for myself (...yet), but yeah. Totally excited.
What are you favorite book-to-film adaptations, and why? What adaptation are you most anticipating -- whether it's been announced or not?
* Don't miss Matt's debut middle grade novel JACK BLANK AND THE IMAGINE NATION, out August 3 -- two weeks!
3 ate pie:
I think they did a good job with The Secret Life of Bees. And the Gene Wilder version of Charlie (nee Willy Wonka) and the Chocolate Factory.
Even though the book and movie were very different, I liked both versions of Stardust. Also the miniseries Pride and Prejudice.
Julie - I like the Gene Wilder version, too, though I don't think either got the subtle desperation and awfulness in the book.
Sarah - Didn't care for Stardust movie, but never read the book. DID like P&P miniseries (but again, haven't read the book). :)
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